“Every child hurt – or killed – on Welsh roads is one too many and the number of child pedestrian casualties is of particular concern.

“We need more 20mph speed limits in communities across Wales, which will reduce casualties and ensure any collisions that do happen are less severe.

“Cycling and walking is good for our health, will cut congestion and is good for the environment. It’s key that we make sure Welsh towns and cities are geared up to enable everyone to feel safe cycling or walking for local everyday journeys.”

Geraint Thomas will be hopeful after Bradley Wiggins pulls out of British national road race championship Credit: PA

Geraint thomas has been handed a massive boost to his hopes of reclaiming the national road race title on home roads after sir Bradley wiggins pulled out of Sunday's British national road race championship in Abergavenny.

Wiggins had been expected to mount a serious challenge for the title after missing out on selection for this summers tour de France. His withdrawal though opens up further hopes I home success for Cardiff rider Geraint Thomas who is hoping to reclaim the title he won in 2010.

Wiggins withdrawal is the second big-name to miss out on the championship after mark cavendish withdrew last week through illness.

Froome's inclusion means that Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford has left out former Tour champion Bradley Wiggins, despite the Olympic Gold medallist showing his form winning Thursday's British national time trial title on the roads of Monmouthshire.

Thomas will race in the Commonwealth Games just days after the Tour ends

Thomas will play a key role in Sky's attempts to claim a third straight Tour win as Froome's chief sidekick throughout the three week race.

For now though Thomas must continue to play second fiddle for the 21 stage race, that finishes just seven days before he attempts to secure a victory of his own at the Commonwealth Games road race in Glasgow.

'It's certainly not ideal. It's a big three weeks of racing around France trying to help Froomey win really so it'll be tough for sure" he said.

"I think mentally it's ok because I know I've just got to keep going until the Sunday, just hopefully I can recover well, eat well, sleep well and that's pretty much all I can do go there and go as fast as we can."